// Waitrose introduces new sustainable packaging for its strawberries
// The new “Air-Light” punnet packaging is available in select stores now
// Waitrose said its strawberry sales increased by 18% over the bank holiday weekend
Waitrose has launched a new sustainable packaging trial for its strawberries as it aims to reduce plastic packaging.
The new “Air-Light” punnet packaging is available in select stores now, with shoppers able to take full advantage of reduced plastic packaging across Waitrose’s select 400g British strawberry lines, as well as its Duchy 225g organic strawberry line.
The trial has removed the bubble wrap and its adhesive used in previous strawberry punnets to save a total of 16.89 tonnes over the summer.
READ MORE: Waitrose Unpacked scheme expands to include more products
The packaging is made of 80 per cent recycled material, is more light-weight and incorporates a cushioned design that helps protect the fruit from damage.
This has eliminated the need for a separate bubble pad used in past designs to maintain product quality. In turn, the glue used to fix the pad to the packaging has also been removed.
Waitrose said its strawberry sales increased by 18 per cent over the bank holiday weekend as customers enjoyed the warm weather.
“British strawberries are thankfully now in season – meaning a big part of the tradition can still be enjoyed by all, and this further reduction in plastic packaging will help make them taste all the sweeter this summer,” John Lewis Partnership ethics and sustainability director, Marija Rompani said.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
